Presenters

Nichole Harris, Student Services Lead Specialist , FSCJ

CONTACT INFORMATION

FSCJ Admissions

(904)646-2300 welcome@fscj.edu

Frank H Peterson Financial Aid Night & FAFSA Lab

Description

FSCJ, in conjunction with Frank H Peterson, proudly presents our Financial Aid Night & FAFSA Lab!

Students and parents of Frank H Peterson are invited to register to attend. If you do not attend Frank H Peterson, please see your School Counselor for upcoming events at your school, or view our virtual events at visit.fscj.edu.

This event will cover why college is still an excellent pathway to a personal career and economic success and how to leverage the abundance of student aid resources to keep your education affordable and provide help for the FAFSA application.

Get a jump-start on completing the 2022–23 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FSCJ representatives will be on hand to help guide you through the FAFSA completion process and answer any questions you may have. Stop by to receive one-on-one financial aid assistance while getting one step closer to college.

To complete your FAFSA, students should bring the following:

Social Security Number, driver’s license, or alien registration card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
2020 IRS 1040 or latest tax return & W-2 statements
Federal Student Aid ID for student and parent (to create an FSA ID, visit fsaid.ed.gov) ***Ensure to complete creating your FSA ID at least 3 days before the event***

If you filed a 2020 tax return but do not have the documents with you, the FAFSA import tool might allow you to link your tax returns electronically and FAFSA using your name, SSN, exemptions, and filing status.

***If you would like to schedule a virtual or in-person event with FSCJ for your school or organization, please get in touch with us at welcome@fscj.edu.***

QA

What is the FAFSA?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a free online application you fill out to qualify for federal financial aid. Many states and colleges also use the FAFSA to grant state and institutional financial aid. You’ll need to create an FSA ID to access and sign the FAFSA. If you’re a dependent student, your parents will need their own FSA IDs, too.

What is the FSA ID?

The FSA ID is a username and password combination you use to log in to U.S. Department of Education (ED) online systems. The FSA ID is your legal signature and shouldn't be created or used by anyone other than you—not even your parent.

Who needs to make a FSA ID?

Both the student and the parent need to create an FSA ID. The FSA ID will be used to sign your and submit your FAFSA application electronically. Parents also need the FSA ID to use the IRS data retrieval tool.

What does the FAFSA have to do with financial aid?

After you submit the FAFSA, the government will look at your information and use it to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your EFC, soon to be renamed Student Aid Index (SAI), is how much you and your family are expected to pay for your education.

Once your EFC is determined, it’s up to your college to put together your financial aid package. Your college’s financial aid office determines need-based aid by subtracting your EFC from its total cost of attendance.

Am I eligible for federal financial aid?

To be eligible for federal financial aid, you must meet the following requirements:

Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or eligible noncitizen
Have or be on track for your high school diploma
Be accepted or enrolled at a Title IV school
Be registered with Selective Service, if you’re a male student
Maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or grad school. If your GPA falls too low, you’ll lose eligibility for FAFSA loans and financial aid

When do I apply for the FAFSA?

The FAFSA application opens every year on October 1st.

Do I need to submit the FAFSA every year?

Yes, you will need to submit the FAFSA every year to remain eligible for federal student aid.

Can I edit the FAFSA after I submit it?

Yes, you can edit the FAFSA after you submit. In fact, you’re required to do so if there’s a change in your dependency status, in the number of your family members or in the number of people in your household who are in college.

You can also fix mistakes you made when filling out the form. To make corrections to the FAFSA, log in to your account and click on “Make FAFSA Corrections.” Enter your FSA ID, make any updates and then hit submit.

You can correct any field with the exception of your Social Security number. If you entered an incorrect Social Security number, contact the financial aid office of your college. They might advise you to submit an entirely new FAFSA.

Should I file for the FAFSA even if I don’t think I’ll qualify for financial aid?

Yes. Don’t neglect to fill out the FAFSA because you think you won’t qualify. There’s no income cutoff for financial aid. Plus, some schools rely on the FAFSA to award scholarships.